IELTS Speaking Part 1

Jumpers: questions and Band 8 answers

The examiner asks three to five short questions on two or three everyday topics in the first four to five minutes. Here are 5 questions about jumpers written by BandLadder in the examiner's style, each with a Band 8 sample answer. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.
  • 5 questions
  • 5 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

5 answers

Sample answers

1

Do you often wear jumpers?

Yes, quite a lot, especially during the autumn and winter months. I live in a fairly chilly flat, so throwing on a cosy woollen jumper is usually the first thing I do in the morning when the temperature drops.

2

What kind of jumpers do you prefer?

I generally go for loose-fitting, chunky knits made from natural fibres like merino wool. In terms of style, I tend to stick to neutral colours like navy or charcoal grey, as they go with pretty much anything.

3

Did you wear jumpers much when you were younger?

To be honest, I did, mainly because my grandmother used to hand-knit them for my brother and me. They were often slightly scratchy and had bright, odd patterns, but they certainly kept us warm on the walk to school.

4

Have you ever received a jumper as a gift?

Yes, actually. Last Christmas, my sister bought me a lovely turtleneck jumper from a boutique in town. It was a dark olive green, and it quickly became one of my favourite things to wear on cold evenings.

5

Do you think you will buy any new jumpers soon?

Probably not in the near future. I already have a wardrobe full of knitwear that is still in great condition, so unless I spot an absolute bargain in a second-hand shop, I will hold off for a while.

Details are invented. Use the shape, not the sentences: examiners mark memorised answers down.

Answer out loud and get a band

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7 words

Useful vocabulary

  • throwing on

    quickly putting on an item of clothing

  • chunky knits

    thick, heavy knitted garments

  • natural fibres

    clothing materials derived from plants or animals, like wool

  • hand-knit

    made by hand using knitting needles

  • scratchy

    rough and causing an irritating or itchy feeling on skin

  • turtleneck

    a high, close-fitting collar that folds over the neck

  • hold off

    delay or wait before taking an action

  • →Use specific fabric and clothing terms like 'chunky knits' or 'merino wool' to demonstrate precise vocabulary.
  • →Contrast how you feel about clothing now compared to your childhood to easily vary your tenses.
  • →Keep the tone casual and conversational by using natural phrasal verbs like 'throw on' or 'go for'.

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